For sheer competitiveness, there are few scholastic sports which rival girls basketball. The rationale for this remains elusive, but it likely has to do with the determined nature of local varsity teams, the often sudden melding of a team out of a handful of individuals, and the surprising talent resident in the athletes – regardless of their size or stature.

On the brink of the district basketball season, a look at two county programs may prove informative.

“East Texas is home to the best girls basketball in the state,” offered Mineola coach Alan Wilson. “There are historic programs in the region and East Texas sends a number of teams to the state tourney year-in and year-out,” he added.

Now in his second year leading the Lady Jackets, Wilson describes the process of building a program founded in basketball fundamentals and confidence. The key, explained Wilson, is realizing that moment when the individual players recognize success through the accomplishments of their teammates. 

“That moment – when the concept of team clicks – is the most satisfying moment in coaching,” stated Wilson.     

A visit to one of the Lady Jackets’ practice sessions makes it clear that a lot of sweat goes into building that sense of team. A highly structured two-hour practice alternates from conditioning to myriad situational drills. Efficient but unrushed, the program allows for individual instruction and critique, all inside of team activities. 

At the beginning of one defensive drill, the team was readied: “It’s January, and we need two defensive stops at the end of the game to close out Mt. Vernon,” Wilson proposed, “now let’s get it done.” With assistants Chris Horton and TaShara Everett roaming the court and offering further guidance, the practice is intense. 

Mineola is coming off a sub-par year. After four years of benefiting from what rightfully can be called the Sabria Dean era, the 2020-21 team never fully established an identity.  The void left by Dean may have just been too large from which to quickly recover. 

All indications are, however, that 2021-22 will usher in new life to the program. A mix of experienced upperclassmen and talented underclassmen has realized considerable early season success.

“We are counting on becoming a player-led team with the leaders we presently have,” Wilson commented. Wilson described what he envisions the year to hold for the Lady Jackets – an aggressive team that attacks the lane and uses a harassing defense to keep opponents off balance.

Just up the road, the Lady Panthers of Alba-Golden Coach Dale Clement also have high hopes for the upcoming campaign, albeit under significantly different circumstances. 

The squad is coming off a spectacularly-successful year, one which was led by a very capable group of seniors. That group of graduated seniors left huge vacancies to be filled in the line-up card.

Four Lady Panthers have previous varsity experience, including back-court standout Cacie Lennon. The remainder of the team will be a combination of four seniors, two juniors, three sophomores and two freshmen. 

“We do not make direct comparisons with last years’ team,” admitted Clement, “…we are improving every day and will create our own identity.”

On-court leadership is falling squarely on the shoulders of Lennon – who is presently sidelined with a significant ankle injury – and guard Kamrin Wright. Commenting on Wright’s leadership brought a smile to Clement’s face. He described her style of play as gritty and aggressive with a “follow me” attitude. 

The future for the Lady Panthers will depend on establishing that team identity and continuing to get better every day.

“We are building on the small victories we achieve within each game,” Clement explained.   

If the first half of last week’s game against the Forney Rabbits was any indication, the Lady Panthers are well on their way to putting the necessary pieces together. Before being worn down by the larger and more talented Forney squad, the Lady Panthers shocked the visitors with their composure, energy and determination. It is exactly those type of qualities which will shape the identity of this year’s Lady Panthers. 

Mineola’s varsity squad is composed of 1 Ava Johnson, 2 Mylee Fischer, 5 Gracie Finley, 10 Jayla Jackson, 12 Alia Freeman, 15 Paris Spigner, 22 Macy Fischer, 23 Kyra Jackson and 55 Kapri Riley.

The 21-22 Lady Panthers are 1 Jade Kruse, 2 Kadence Thompson, 5 Jessie Mitchell, 10 Kaylee Anglin, 12 Bailey Bishop, 13 Kalli Trimble, 14 Kamrin Wright, 20 Alexis Wilmut, 21 Halle Perkins and 24 Kylie Kennedy.